Farms and ranches in the U.S. are no longer just raising traditional livestock such as cows, pigs and chickens. Emus are among the more exotic creatures being raised by U.S. agriculturalists. These large, flightless birds can produce as many as 20 eggs per annual laying season, with each one weighing 16 to 40 ounces and measuring 6 to 8 inches long. Each emu egg is equivalent in volume to 10 chicken eggs, so one emu egg can easily feed a family. Demand for these large, green eggs comes mainly from specialty groceries and food markets, trendy restaurants and artists, who use the colorful shells for intricate carving projects.

Research the agricultural policies governing the sale of emu eggs in your area. This information should be available from your local agriculture board, as well as from organizations such as the American Emu Association.

Conduct research to determine whether there is a market for emu eggs in your area and to get an idea of what per-egg price the market will bear. If you are close to a large urban area with outdoor food markets, specialty grocers and trendy restaurants, you can probably sell your emu eggs directly to them. In New York City, for example, some high-end restaurants have started featuring the eggs in specialty dishes, according to a Manhattan weekly newspaper, often paying up to $20 per egg. Factor in the costs of safely transporting the eggs to your buyers.

Conduct online or mail order marketing if you are in a more isolated rural area, where there may not be a ready outlet for emu eggs. Set up a website to inform people about the emu eggs you sell. Create pamphlets or brochures for other farmers to distribute at places they market their crops. In rural areas, you may be able to sell some of your eggs directly to individual customers from a stand at the local farmers' market. For those ordered online or by mail, your pricing will have to take into account the protective packaging needed to keep the eggs intact, along with the shipping costs incurred during delivery.

Get the word out to your target audience. Advertise in magazines, newsletters or online sites directed at those most likely to buy emu eggs, including upscale outdoor food markets, grocery stores and high-end, trendy restaurants with unique and exotic menu items in large metropolitan areas. Point out the eggs' delicate flavor and high yolk-to-white ratio, as well as the fact that one emu egg is equivalent to 10 to 12 chicken eggs. And while they are proportionately higher in fat than chicken eggs, they have a lower percentage of bad fats. They also contain eight of the 10 amino acids we need, including lysine.

Tip

Market your eggs to artists as well. The layered, rich-colored emu egg shell is a favorite of miniaturists and specialists in delicate carving.

About the Author

As a national security analyst for the U.S. government, Molly Thompson wrote extensively for classified USG publications. Thompson established and runs a strategic analysis company, is a professional genealogist and participates in numerous community organizations.Thompson holds degrees from Wellesley and Georgetown in psychology, political science and international relations.